Fix probe Scots snooker star John Higgins cancels home move

EXCLUSIVE: SNOOKER star John Higgins has axed plans to build a £1million mansion as he waits to discover his fate over match-fixing claims.

SNOOKER star John Higgins has axed plans to build a £1million mansion as he waits to discover his fate over match-fixing claims.

The three-times world champion will instead stay in his £775,000 home in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, which has now been taken off the market.

The world number one has been suspended since May after he was recorded on a hidden video camera appearing to agree to throw games for cash.

Higgins, nicknamed the Wizard of Wishaw, put his five-bedroom home up for sale in the weeks before the scandal broke.

Now he and wife Denise have decided to ditch plans to build a dream home nearby.

A spokesman for the player said: “John and Denise had their family home on the market for several months but, on reflection, decided they are more than happy living where they are.

“Having made that decision, John has now ditched plans to build a new house nearby and has put that land up for sale.”

Higgins paid £385,000 for the plot at the exclusive Earlsgate development in the shadow of Bothwell Castle, with the building costs estimated to be at least £500,000.

Plans submitted to South Lanarkshire Council last December show five en-suite bedrooms, a snooker room, three living rooms, a games room and double garage.

The 35-year-old, his wife Denise, 33, and their children Pierce, Oliver and Claudia will now stay put half a mile away at their house in Royal Gardens – one of Scotland’s top 10 most expensive addresses.

They bought the house eight years ago for £525,000.

Higgins appeared to agree to accept a £261,000 bribe to fix matches when he was secretly taped in Ukraine.

The revelations prompted the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association to appoint an ex-senior policeman to investigate.

Higgins is due to appear before a WPBSA hearing led by chairman Barry Hearn within weeks.

A source said: “If John is found guilty, he could be facing either a long or even lifetime ban from snooker.

“That could immediately halt any future earnings not just from the sport but alsofrom endorsements.

“It could be that the house decision is tied in with these bigger issues.”